Adding WiFi controls to a RC car using Arduino

In this video I'm going to show you how to add WiFi controls to a toy remote control car using an ESP8266.

This is actually a really simple project, so it would actually make a good project for someone pretty new to Arduino. Even the way I show it in the video I did not even need to solder for it.

Parts For the project:

My Tools & Kit*:

Ts-100 Soldering Iron

Logitech C920 HD 1080p Pro webcam

Blue Snowball USB Microphone

Self Adjusting Wire Strippers

Support what I do by using my Amazon Affiliate links:

*= Affiliate Links

[BrianLough]

Sorry for no live stream on YouTube on Monday, YouTube gave me a community strike for "Spam or deceptive practices" for this video and it disabled streaming on my account. The strike was removed on appeal thankfully!

[UnexpectedMaker]

Wow, this is WAY simpler to do that I thought it would be. I guess a motor shield really helps for a project like this. Nice one!

[gregclare]

Hi Brian. Just a suggestion, applicable to local device control (perfect for a model car!). I’m playing with Bluetooth (BLE) device control via ESP32. Using BLE has lower overhead (less power), doesn’t require a WiFi AP, and is therefore also fully standalone / portable to take anywhere! The car could advertise it’s service, and your mobile App choose which car to control. All in all, perfect for model cars, which of course you need to see to control. :)

[electronicsworkshop]

Thanks for this video! I'll be using this in my RC car build.

[PsiQ]

seeing how you fiddle around+bend the cables to get good connction into the wire teminals:
i use crimping in a not intended, but very efficient way: you take a larger crimping sleeve (?name?) than the wire normally needs. you keep the cable a cm over the insulation.
the rest of the blank wire you wind backwards around the isolation.
to fix everything, you then crimp the larger metal sleve over everything including isolation. this way you have good connection even with small fragile cables + you stabilize the cable with the isolation so its harder to rip away... will make a step by step picture when im home again..

[Hennesii]

Hi! I’m trying to build one of these with a FPV webcam. Could you enlighten me a bit. I’m new to arduino. I want to be able to see on my pc where the car is going and control it at the same time. Perhaps even have a screen to write on remotely. To communicate with people along the way.

[whoisusman]

Please guide about how to increase the no. of channels (also their buttons in mobile UI) if we have more channels required in our projects like controlling lights, horn, open and close trunk etc.

[babylonhobbiesandfpv]

Wanting to build a 4g long range rc plane, was wondering if i could use a wifi module like this and a 4g wifi pocket router in the drone and somehow connect the controller to the drone via 4g

[bluiska]

How quickly does it drain the batter? What's the standby power drain?

[viantd]

Can yours app sending commond for forward and left in the same time

[Home_made_ch]

Can you advice if possible to control via wifi car with brushless motors? Or transmit via wifi pmw sicgals for receiver?

[ahnafaquaristbogura]

What apps name this esp8266 controller

[ensarcidic]

Can I use arduino uno instead arduino stepper motor drive?
Best regards!

[novalopang]

bro ... how to connect with an app like roboremo or nodemcu app. thank you

[iyadelwy]

Quick question. Would it be possible to power the project by supplying powert through the node mcu micro usb Port ?

[tomoiagaflorin]

What app u use on the phone as remote? Thanks

[leftblank]

do you have to be on the same network to control it?

[Gallardo]

Great video.What's the range on the wifi? I want to build an outdoor project and need 300ft of range

[lloydguia]

Hello what if i used another dynamo that have greater voltage? how do i adjust the current ? Help!

[lakmalsampath]

mortor doesn't work. but i uploaded sketch correctly. when i press keys LED is blink. but there is no respondwith mortors. i used 9V battary. pls help me.